Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effect on the 1st of July 2021? Landlords now have to ensure that their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of the start of any renewal or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely compliant by 1 July 2024.

The subjects covered in the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We will assess your rental property to determine if it meets the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. Following the assessment, we’ll advise you or your property manager of any work needed to be completed. needs to be done and provide an evaluation report with all the details required for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation in the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not in compliance could face fines of up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

We are fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are completely qualified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

From the 1st of July in 2021, once a new or renewed tenancy is signed on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items must be taken care of by the end of 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, once a new or renewed Tenancy is signed for a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished within 90 days.

Failure to meet each of Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. In addition, if the present Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within the renewal, new or revised tenancy agreement it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they live in. If the property manager does not supply the necessary information within 21 days from being informed of the request, they will receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is an additional fine of approximately $900 for landlords or property managers providing a false or inaccurate Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as being the person letting the property out and it could be the landlord’s name or the property management company.

All information in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date when the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated during the entire tenancy, as relevant work gets completed.

It is also important to note that landlords with several rental properties can face more severe penalties for not complying. The most severe penalties are given only for serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can be penalised up to $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in hearings.

Clearly, failure to adhere to requirements of Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account resulting in significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and make arrangements to have an house inspection performed on your rental property.

Get the full description of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

A majority of households in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research suggests that rental houses tend to be colder, older and have less effective heating and have lower quality than houses that are owned by the owner.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses are linked to negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses such as colds and asthma, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, those who experience at least four key housing quality problems frequently have lower levels of satisfaction with life and a decrease in psychological well-being.

Improve the quality of Plimmerton rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health as well as lessen disruption to work, learning and living due to diseases. Your investment will also be better secured from mildew, mould and damp damages, which means less costs of maintenance over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, as well Draught stopping on Plimmerton rental properties.

Begin now by calling about receiving a Plimmerton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts increase the likelihood of low temperatures inside households. A draughty house costs more to heat, which means wasting money and energy.

If a draft can be felt from unreasonable gaps or holes or holes, it requirements to be closed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air flowing in or an unobstructed draught coming from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s likely to be a gap or hole which requirements sealing in some way. Cracks or gaps with large gaps must be stopped permanently. The gaps that exceed 3mm that allow air to enter or exit from the home need to be sealed. In the case of an open fireplace isn’t in use it may cause draughts and should be blocked from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that these draughts are stopped as much as possible.

There is no need to block off holes or gaps which are part of the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be necessary to allow for movement of the building as the house gets warmer and cooler, in order to let them be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will test the windows and doors in your Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important to ensure healthy houses

Heating Plimmerton

Plimmerton rental properties require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even on the winter coldest days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The heating source needs to remain fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW of heating capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required to heat the living space in general. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine if the fix heater(s) are sufficient or if you’ll need to "top up" by adding a second heater. Open fires and unflued combustion heaters like mobile LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must have the thermostat. This will make your heating more consistent and effective. For most properties, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in certain instances like small apartments an electric, fixed heater could be enough.

If the living area already has a fixed heating source, like heat pumps, it could require an upgrade to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either expensive, inefficient or unsafe to operate.

See the full details to the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Each living space within a rental property has to include at least one open door or window to offer natural ventilation. In addition, humid spaces like kitchens and bathrooms must have a suitable externally vented extractor to eliminate moisture.

The ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dry air will be more easy to heat and a property that is well ventilated is less likely to be a victim of damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living spaces, dining rooms, and kitchens are considered liveable areas. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered living spaces and therefore don’t need an opening window or door.

Each window, door or the skylight needs to have the ability to open to the outside and remain fixed in an open position in order to allow to circulate fresh air as well as air flow.

All bathrooms and kitchens as well as any other space in your property with a bath, shower cooker or any other moisture generating item will need proper extractor fan systems which are vented towards the outside. The Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient air circulation in every living space that includes extractor fans that are suitable in areas with high moisture.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A comfortable, dry house is an ideal house

Insulation Plimmerton

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory on all rental houses since 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers should make sure that the insulation meets current quality. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the subfloor space may need to be replaced or replaced.

A properly insulated home will help to control condensation and lessen the likelihood of mould and dampness and will also make more easy for the household to retain heat.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" signifies thermal resistance, and is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The more R-value is higher, the higher the quality of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3 (underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Keeping your rental property safe from moisture isn’t just about the interior of the building; you have to ensure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and stop it from coming into the building. When it is about damp and water, it’s typically those concerns that you aren’t aware of that can become a big problem that can cause the property to suffer and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage for the removal of storm water, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go, and also that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside an irrigation system to stop moisture from entering, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and soil, a ground-water barrier must be constructed if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

The ground-moisture barrier typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to stop any moisture present in the ground from accumulating into the property. It also assists in preventing any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

Rental property areas affected to The Healthy Homes Standards in Plimmerton include each:

• Living Room
• Bedroom
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns you should look for in the home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Is the sub floor space protected and does it have a moisture barrier present?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need topping up or replacing?
• Is the heater equipped with sufficient capacity?
• Are there enough drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The consequences of not having a Healthy Home in accordance with The Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of an tenant solutions ruling can have a significant impact for property managers and landlords. For professional assistance, get in touch today to book your rental properties house evaluation.